I personally think these Andrew Wiggins threads are stupid. Nobody was on here talking about whether or not we could get Anthony Davis, or Kyrie Irving. Why? Because Wiggins is Canadian. Yes, I understand it would be cool, and fans are patriotic, but man...

It's not even patriotic. He's getting this attention because he's ranked highly... and oh ya, he's canadian, so we can pretend we're being patriotic

tristan thompson and cory joseph didn't get this kind of attention... and they were somewhat more attainable at the time, and just as canadian..

you don't see "hey, let's try to drag Carl English away from whatever random eastern european team he's playing for, because god dammit, he's CANADIAN" threads

It's not even patriotic. He's getting this attention because he's ranked highly... and oh ya, he's canadian, so we can pretend we're being patriotic

tristan thompson and cory joseph didn't get this kind of attention... and they were somewhat more attainable at the time, and just as canadian..

you don't see "hey, let's try to drag Carl English away from whatever random eastern european team he's playing for, because god dammit, he's CANADIAN" threads

It's really just a combo of both. Wiggins is probably the most hyped high school player since LeBron? But, I purely think Raptor fans are really into the whole "Can we get Wiggins" thing because he is Canadian.

"The number 1 pick (or whatever pick he'll end up going - likely 1st though) is the most talented player in the draft, going to the Toronto Raptors, which means he's the first Canadian drafted to a Canadian team."

It's just stupid in my opinion: 1, because it's clearly a dream, 2, it's because of the love he's Canadian, which all the more makes it obligatory for Raptor fans to say "hey, let's draft the best player who is also Canadian!".

It's really just a combo of both. Wiggins is probably the most hyped high school player since LeBron? But, I purely think Raptor fans are really into the whole "Can we get Wiggins" thing because he is Canadian.

whatever the reason... its seriously grasping at straws though...

unless derozan or ross come back next season as the second coming of MJ.. or Amir goes on a Rodman-like rebounding spree... we literally have NOTHING to offer for a first pick

if anybody really gives a shit about having him on the team... learn some patience... it's only coming through free agency, or trade relying on him falling way short of his potential

It's really just a combo of both. Wiggins is probably the most hyped high school player since LeBron? But, I purely think Raptor fans are really into the whole "Can we get Wiggins" thing because he is Canadian.

I don't know...I don't think it's ever in combo with one person though. Some people are...umm...misguided, to be polite, and are primarily excited because he's Canadian.

For me, I want him because I wish this team had an obvious franchise-calibre player like him, regardless where he's from. THat said, I understand there is not even the slightest chance that the Raptors can find a way to strategize to get him. They couldn't tank badly enough if they wanted to. I mean what if they gut the team except JV, and still finish with the 5th best odds, and maybe even fall in the lottery...that is not worth it. And there is clearly no situation where the team with the #1 pick would trade it that year.

They would have to miss the playoffs and win the lottery against the odds. That would be ok with me. If somehow the Raps had the worst lottery chances, or say, in the 10-14 range, and somehow won the lottery, that's fine. That is, I suppose, realistic, in the sense that there are odds it can happen. I think that situation is a more realistic approach than gutting the team for better lottery chances or thinking a trade can be made. And it would still only be odds of around 1% give or take IF they are in that part of the lottery.

I don't know...I don't think it's ever in combo with one person though. Some people are...umm...misguided, to be polite, and are primarily excited because he's Canadian.

For me, I want him because I wish this team had an obvious franchise-calibre player like him, regardless where he's from. THat said, I understand there is not even the slightest chance that the Raptors can find a way to strategize to get him. They couldn't tank badly enough if they wanted to. I mean what if they gut the team except JV, and still finish with the 5th best odds, and maybe even fall in the lottery...that is not worth it. And there is clearly no situation where the team with the #1 pick would trade it that year.

They would have to miss the playoffs and win the lottery against the odds. That would be ok with me. If somehow the Raps had the worst lottery chances, or say, in the 10-14 range, and somehow won the lottery, that's fine. That is, I suppose, realistic, in the sense that there are odds it can happen. I think that situation is a more realistic approach than gutting the team for better lottery chances or thinking a trade can be made. And it would still only be odds of around 1% give or take IF they are in that part of the lottery.

Problem is with that entire strategy, is the fact that the Raptors will not be in the top 10 in terms of lottery picks. With the CURRENT state and talent of the roster, this team is good enough in a full season with Rudy Gay & company to get that 7th or 8th seed, or be stuck in mediocrity around that 10th, 9th spot in the conference.

Likely, this team improves from this off-season, and possibly a playoff spot, or another bare miss.

The direction of this team is upward, and it is a combination of win-now, and still building the pieces into the core. This team is not looking to use draft picks to draft players, but to use it to trade for already established - young, or vets - players to play a role on this team.
Only GLARING hole is the power forward position, and that is hopefully addressed this off-season.

Back to the topic, is Wiggins realistic? No, also, whether or not we win the draft or, as much as you draft the BPA - best player available - Wiggins does not fit the need for we are stuck with a log jam at both wing positions.

P.S I'm not saying DON'T draft Wiggins, that would be stupid, just saying that situation does not best suit either way. i.e doesn't fit a need, will struggle with playing time.

The team has to pull an OKC and workout together all summer, I want to see them doing whatever basketball related activity together. At least Gay, Lowry, DeRozan and Ross gotta stick together pretty sur JV is going back home.

Problem is with that entire strategy, is the fact that the Raptors will not be in the top 10 in terms of lottery picks. With the CURRENT state and talent of the roster, this team is good enough in a full season with Rudy Gay & company to get that 7th or 8th seed, or be stuck in mediocrity around that 10th, 9th spot in the conference.

Likely, this team improves from this off-season, and possibly a playoff spot, or another bare miss.

The direction of this team is upward, and it is a combination of win-now, and still building the pieces into the core. This team is not looking to use draft picks to draft players, but to use it to trade for already established - young, or vets - players to play a role on this team.
Only GLARING hole is the power forward position, and that is hopefully addressed this off-season.

Back to the topic, is Wiggins realistic? No, also, whether or not we win the draft or, as much as you draft the BPA - best player available - Wiggins does not fit the need for we are stuck with a log jam at both wing positions.

P.S I'm not saying DON'T draft Wiggins, that would be stupid, just saying that situation does not best suit either way. i.e doesn't fit a need, will struggle with playing time.

If you read my post and it made the sense I hoped it had, this is what I was saying. That the Raps only "realistic" shot at landing Wiggins is to just miss the playoffs with the roster they have, and somehow, miraculously, win the draft lottery with that ridiculously small chance they'd get in the lower few spots of the lottery...something like around 1.5 % at best, and probably more like 0.5%. It makes absolutely no sense to trade players on this team to tank, or acquire picks, or both.

As for the whole NEED thing. Wiggins will be a better player than Gay. Wiggins will be great. I don't think this has anything to do with him being Canadian. He looks ridiculous. He could be in teh NBA now, even though he's still skinny. It's one thing to worry about a logjam when you keep drafting non-star PFs. It's another when you have a once in a decade player. If he falls into their lap, they adjust the roster accordingly, and really, it would only mean trading Gay and his massive expiring contract.

We're gonna lose 2013 pick right when the season ends. So, BC will have carte blanche to start dealing the 2014 pick, even before the 2013 happens, most likely as a draft day deal or during the free agent period (a la Lowry).

I personally think these Andrew Wiggins threads are stupid. Nobody was on here talking about whether or not we could get Anthony Davis, or Kyrie Irving. Why? Because Wiggins is Canadian. Yes, I understand it would be cool, and fans are patriotic, but man...

But apart from being patriotic - so many fans (especially on this site) have that paranoia thing hapenning: 'all american players hate Canada! No superstar will ever stay here! Everyone leaves us!" Personally, I don't buy all that. However, because Wiggins is Canadian, we can assume that he'd stay here long term. There wouldn't be years of "will he or won't he re-sign" speculation, which would be a beautiful thing.

If the Raptors organization is smart, every move they make from now on will be with idea of both clearing cap space for the summer that Wiggins first becomes available as a free agent, while at the same time building a competitive roster/winning culture that he'd want to be a part of.

I personally think these Andrew Wiggins threads are stupid. Nobody was on here talking about whether or not we could get Anthony Davis, or Kyrie Irving. Why? Because Wiggins is Canadian. Yes, I understand it would be cool, and fans are patriotic, but man...

yeah but the hype wiggins has got and will continue to get is similar to that of lebron. maybe this is just me, and i dont really follow high school or college hoops, but i dont remember hearing about anthony davis or kyrie irving when they were in grade 11

A key that opens many locks is a master key, but a lock that gets open by many keys is just a shitty lock